- Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Title:
- Cameroon politics in the post Ahidjo era: economic decline and political reform under Paul Biya, 1999
- Creator:
- Ajongwa, Peter
- Date of Original:
- 1999-07-01
- Subject:
- Degrees, Academic
Dissertations, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- theses
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- This study examines factors, internal and external, which have contributed to Cameroon's economic decline under Paul Biya and have constrained efforts to implement credible political reforms. In pursuing this objective, this study has evaluated, albeit briefly, the nature of Cameroon's economy and politics under Ahmadou Ahidjo, in order to ascertain whether Cameroon's economic decline began under Ahidjo and only became apparent during Biya's presidency or it was triggered solely by flawed policies of the Biya administration. Additionally, particular attention has been paid to attempts or initiatives aimed at resolving Cameroon's economic and political crisis and what impact such corrective measures have had on the well-being of ordinary Cameroonians. The methodology for this study consisted essentially of descriptive and historical analyses of socio-economic and political events and processes believed to be associated with Cameroon's economic and political crisis under both Ahidjo and Biya. Also, vital information related to this study was gleaned from interviews with Cameroonians and foreigners familiar with economic and political developments in Cameroon toward the end of Ahidjo's presidency and the beginning of Biya's administration. Data were gathered through the use of primary and secondary sources on the subject. This study's contribution to scholarship stems from its analysis of a style of governance (pursued by both Ahidjo and Biya) which has been characterized by a dependence on ethnicity, patron client alliances and coalition building. While political stability may have been maintained, such arrangements have ultimately contributed to Cameroon's economic and political decline as such privileged groups have sought to advance themselves economically and politically at the expense of economic growth and development for all Cameroonians. Conclusions drawn from the findings established that Cameroon's seemingly impressive growth rate until 1986 was inflated by the discovery and exploitation of oil; concealing a large and increasingly parasitic state sector, little or no productivity growth in the agricultural sector and daunting infrastructural problems which became apparent under Biya. This study also concludes that flawed policies of the Biya administration have contributed to the crisis. Consequently, attempts to stem Cameroon's economic and political decline have failed because implementing fundamental changes in governance and the economy would end access to resources and privileges benefiting the alliance which has sustained Biya's government very much like it did Ahidjo's.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1999_ajongwa_peter.pdf
- Rights Holder:
- Clark Atlanta University
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-